Raila Odinga, the chief of the Kenyan opposition coalition Azimio la Umoja, in Nairobi on March 28, 2023.
YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
conceal caption
toggle caption
YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Kenya’s former Prime Minister and veteran opposition chief Raila Odinga has died on the age of 80. Broadly considered one of many nation’s most influential political figures, Odinga formed Kenya’s trendy democracy over a profession spanning greater than 4 many years.
The Devamatha Hospital in Kerala, India, confirmed his loss of life after he suffered a cardiac arrest throughout a morning stroll on Wednesday.
Odinga ran for president 5 instances with out success, together with within the disputed 2007 election that triggered widespread ethnic violence, leaving practically 1,000 folks lifeless.
In a live address to the nation, Kenya’s President William Ruto, declared seven days of nationwide mourning. He paid tribute to Odinga as “the daddy of our democracy,” and a “big” of Kenyan politics.
“Raila Amolo Odinga was a once-in-a-generation chief — a person whose beliefs rose above politics and whose legacy will proceed to form Kenya’s future,” Ruto mentioned.
Regardless of by no means attaining the presidency, he was credited with serving to dismantle Kenya’s one-party rule underneath Daniel arap Moi in 1992 and championing the progressive 2010 structure, which ushered in far-reaching political reforms.
Azimio La Umoja (One Kenya Coalition Social gathering) coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga leaves a polling station in Kibera Major College after casting his vote on August 9, 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Ed Ram/Getty Photographs Europe
conceal caption
toggle caption
Ed Ram/Getty Photographs Europe
In latest months, Odinga made headlines for signing a political take care of President William Ruto, following weeks of youth-led anti-government protests that left lots of lifeless. The transfer divided opinion in Kenya however underscored Odinga’s enduring function as a political energy dealer.
Born in 1945 western Kenya, Odinga commanded a passionate and dependable following throughout the nation — from his residence area to Nairobi’s Kibera, certainly one of Africa’s largest slums, the place his assist ran deep.
